Xbox does not close the door to returning to exclusives: its stance could change

The CEO admits that the current strategy could change if the data advises it.

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For years, it seemed unthinkable that Xbox would backtrack on its shift towards a multi-platform model. The move from a strategy focused on exclusives to a more open one was one of the most profound changes in the brand’s recent history. However, this scenario no longer seems as impossible as it once did.

In an interview with Windows Central, Asha Sharma did not explicitly rule out the possibility of prioritizing exclusives again. When asked directly about this option, her response was clear and measured: first, she needs to understand the “why” behind previous decisions, what was being optimized, and what current data says about Xbox’s strategy.

“The plan is the plan… until it isn’t”

Sharma explained that she is analyzing the long-term value of the brand, not just short-term results or efficiencies. She added a phrase that has reignited the debate: “The plan is the plan until it isn’t.”

This comment has been interpreted by many as a sign of strategic flexibility. It doesn’t mean that Xbox will announce an immediate return to exclusives tomorrow, but it does make it clear that the current direction is not set in stone.

The context is important: recently, in response to fan requests to revive a policy focused on exclusive games, Sharma replied on social media with a brief “I’m listening.” At the time, many saw it as a diplomatic phrase. Now, after this interview, the message carries more weight.

For now, the multi-platform strategy remains in place. But for the first time in a long time, the top brass at Xbox acknowledges that no decision is written in stone.